Mixed type ureteral endometriosis : a case report and a review of the Japanese literature

Ureteral endometriosis is a rare but important clinical problem that requires early detection and treatment. The urinary tract is affected in approximately 2% of women with endometriosis. Even though the bladder is the most frequent urinary tract organ affected in these patients,the ureter is also affected in 10-40% of the cases, thus requiring immediate clinical attention. The majority of endometrial lesions is typically located in the lower segment of the ureter and is often difficult to differentiate between endometriosis and malignancy. Ureteral endmetriosis should be considered for women with hydronephrosis. In this report we present one clinical case of mixed-type ureteral endometriosis. A 37-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to left hydronephrosis. Contrast-enhanced CT scan confirmed left hydronephrosis and also showed a solid mass at the left lower ureter. Retrograde pyelography revealed stenosis of the left lower ureter and Renogram revealed severely impaired renal function. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was performed. Pathologically, mixed-type endometriosis of the left ureter was diagnosed.     

单心动周期实时三维超声心动图评价ASD右心室收缩功能

【摘要】 目的 应用单心动周期实时三维超声心动图（sRT3DE）评价房间隔缺损 （ASD）患者治疗前后右心室收缩功能及其影响因素。方法 选取本院2017年1月～2018年6月收治的45例ASD患者为ASD组,45例健康志愿者为对照组。比较两组二维超声测量右心室舒张末内径（RVd）与右心室面积变化分数（RVFAC）,sRT3DE测量右心室舒张末容积（RVEDV）、右心室收缩末容积（RVESV）、右心室每搏量（RVSV）、右心室射血分数（RVEF）,比较ASD组封堵术前后及对照组右室收缩功能参数之间的差异,并分析RVEF与ASD大小、RVEDV、RVESV、RVSVASD的相关性,以及RVEF与RVFAC间相关性。结果 RVd、RVEDV、RVESV、RVSV测值比较,ASD术前＞ASD术后＞对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜001）;RVFAC与RVEF测值比较,ASD术前＜ASD术后＜对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜001）。ASD治疗前RVEF与ASD大小、RVEDV、RVESV呈负相关（r= 0439、 0310、 0688,P＜005）,与RVSV无相关性（P＞005）。RVEF与FAC呈良好正相关（r=0853,P＜005）。结论 sRT3DE能准确评价ASD治疗前后右心室收缩功能,ASD右室收缩功能与RVESV具有良好相关性。     

Surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm

Two successful cases of the surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm (non-Kawasaki disease) were reported. The first case had a saccular aneurysm on the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) #14. Resection of the LCx aneurysm was performed subsequent to single vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the distal portion of LCx#14 under the cardioplegic cardiac arrest. The second case had aneurysms on both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) #7 (fusiform) and the LCx#11 (saccular). After double vessel CABG to LAD#7 and LCx#11, ligation or resection of two aneurysms was performed successfully. Postoperative courses have been uneventful with good angiographic results achieved. Since these surgical procedures demonstrated safety, the patients are expected to achieve a good long-term prognosis.     

Hepatocyte differentiation from embryonic stem cells and umbilical cord blood cells

With the development of regeneration medicine, many researchers have attempted hepatic differentiation from nonhepatic-origin cell sources. The differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into hepatocyte-like cells has been reported in several papers. Mouse ES cells have shown a potential to develop into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro on the basis of hepatic gene expression after adding several growth factors. We transplanted cultured embryoid body (EB) cells (male) into female mice. A liver specimen of the recipient was examined by immunohistochemical staining for albumin and fluorescence in situ hybridization for the Y chromosome after transplantation. Both Y chromosome- and albumin-positive cells were recognized in the recipient female liver, and were considered to be hepatocyte-like cells derived from ES cells containing the Y chromosome. Many groups, including ourselves, have studied hepatocyte-like cell differentiation from umbilical cord blood cells (UBCs). We cultured nucleated cells isolated from UBCs. Using immunostaining, ALB-positive and CK-19-positive cells were recognized in the culture. Dual staining of ALB and CK-19 demonstrated that ALB was coexpresed with CK-19, suggesting the existence of hepatic progenitors. In this review, we consider recent studies of the differentiation of hepatocytes from nonhepatic origins, especially ES cells and umbilical cord blood.     

Impaired expression of hepatic multidrug resistance protein 2 is associated with posthepatectomy hyperbilirubinemia in patients with biliary cancer

Background and aims Hyperbilirubinemia is a critical complication following hepatectomy for biliary cancer. Hepatic multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2), a bilirubin transporter, is shown to be down-regulated by acute biliary obstruction in rats. However, little is known about the effect of chronic obstruction by malignancy on the MRP2 expression in patients or the association of MRP2 expression with posthepatectomy hyperbilirubinemia.Materials and Methods The MRP2 expression before hepatectomy was determined by immunostaining and Western blotting in patients with biliary cancer. To directly determine the effect of chronic bile duct obstruction on the MRP2 expression, the expression levels were compared between the cholestatic and noncholestatic lobes in each of seven patients. In another 39 patients, the correlation of the MRP2 expression of the anticipated remnant liver with the posthepatectomy severe hyperbilirubinemia, defined as a serum total bilirubin concentration200 mol/l, was evaluated.Results The MRP2 staining in the cholestatic lobes was weak and not restricted to the canalicular membrane, unlike the noncholestatic lobes. The expression levels in the cholestatic lobes were 45% of those in the noncholestatic lobes. Postoperative maximum bilirubin levels were significantly correlated with MRP2 expression of the anticipated remnant liver. The MRP2 expression had been already impaired before hepatectomy in all patients who eventually developed severe hyperbilirubinemia.Conclusions Decreased MRP2 expression, caused by biliary obstruction due to cancer, is a possible risk factor for posthepatectomy severe hyperbilirubinemia.     

Closure of a large bronchial fistula with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap

We describe a case of a large bronchial fistula and empyema after right upper lobectomy that was treated successfully with open window thoracostomy followed by a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and limited thoracoplasty. A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can provide immediate airtight closure of a large bronchial fistula, allowing lavage and curettage of the empyema cavity to reduce the chance of postoperative infection. An important aspect of this technique is that the deepithelialized skin side rather than muscle is sutured to an opening of the bronchus. As compared with other techniques, a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is superior in that it requires a single incision and does not require an intraop-erative change of position. In addition, the technique causes little dysfunction of the chest and shoulder and preserves the vascular supply to ensure the viability of the flap even if it was divided in a previous operation.     

Risk factors for cognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES: The mechanisms of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients with diabetes after coronary artery bypass grafting are not fully understood. We sought to determine which type 2 diabetes-related factors contributed to postoperative cognitive dysfunction at 7 days and 6 months after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: One hundred eighty patients with type 2 diabetes who were scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. As a control group, 100 patients without diabetes mellitus matched for age, sex, and educational level were examined. Hemodynamic parameters (arterial and jugular venous blood gas values) were measured during cardiopulmonary bypass. All patients underwent a battery of neurologic and neuropsychologic tests the day before surgery, 7 days after surgery, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Age (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3-1.8, P = .03), presence of hypertension (odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.3-2.0, P = .01), jugular venous oxygen saturation less than 50% time (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.0, P = .045), presence of ascending aorta atherosclerosis (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.6, P = .01), diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.0, P = .01), and insulin therapy (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.0, P = .05), were associated with cognitive impairment at 7 days. Insulin therapy (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.8, P = .01), diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.2-2.9, P < .01), and hemoglobin A 1c (odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.1, P = .047) were associated with cognitive impairment at 6 postoperative months. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin therapy, diabetic retinopathy, and hemoglobin A 1c were factors in cognitive impairment at 7 days and 6 months after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Clinical and pathologic characteristics of dilated cardiomyopathy in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Some dialysis patients have impaired left ventricular (LV) function without coronary artery disease. The pathologic changes and prognoses of these patients have not been well described. METHODS: We performed LV endomyocardial biopsies on 40 hemodialysis patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM; an ejection fraction <50% and a left ventricular end-diastolic volume index >90 mL/m(2) without coronary artery disease), and on 50 nondialysis patients with idiopathic DCM as the control group. Following LV biopsies, the patients were followed-up for a mean of 3.1 +/- 2.3 years. RESULTS: The pathologic characteristics of the dialysis group were severe myocyte hypertrophy (the mean myocyte diameter across the nucleus: 37.6 +/- 10.5 mum vs. 25.6 +/- 7.7 mum, P= 0.001), myocyte disarray (30%), and extensive fibrosis (the mean percent area of left ventricular fibrosis: 22.3 +/- 18.4% vs. 21.3 +/- 14.6%, P= NS). These pathologic characteristics resembled the dilated phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In the dialysis group, a high percent area of LV fibrosis was the only significant predictor of cardiac death by multivariate analysis (P= 0.02). The 3-year cumulative event-free survival rate for cardiac death in dialysis patients with severe fibrosis (more than 30%) was 42%, while that for patients without severe fibrosis was 82% (P= 0.03). CONCLUSION: The pathologic characteristics of the heart in dialysis patients with DCM are interstitial fibrosis and severe myocyte hypertrophy with occasional disarray. The extent of LV fibrosis is a strong predictor of cardiac death. Careful follow-up and treatment are necessary for dialysis patients with a high percent area of LV fibrosis.     

Induction of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and hyperaldosteronism are essential for enhanced sodium absorption after total colectomy in rats

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo total colectomy with ileopouch anal reconstruction often have persistent diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. Analysis of the intestinal adaptation after total colectomy may lead to developing novel therapies for postoperative diarrhea. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent total colectomy with ileoanal reconstruction and were sacrificed 4 and 8 weeks later. Mucosal response to aldosterone was evaluated with the use of ileal mucosa in an Ussing chamber by measuring short circuit current after in vitro stimulation with aldosterone. We investigated the expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD 2) in intestinal epithelial cells. To examine the role of hyperaldosteronism, we also evaluated rats treated with a sodium-deficient diet or subcutaneous aldosterone infusion. RESULTS: Aldosterone levels increased 80-fold after total colectomy. A comparable amount of aldosterone dramatically increased aldosterone-mediated, amiloride-sensitive short circuit current in the mucosa from colectomized rats, but not in control rats. We measured an increase in 11beta-HSD 2 messenger RNA and protein in the distal ileum from colectomized rats. Circulating aldosterone appears to be essential for these functional and molecular changes because similar results were obtained by using the mucosa from both dietary sodium-depleted and aldosterone-infused rats. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of 11beta-HSD 2 is essential for enhanced mineralocorticoid action in the remnant ileum after total colectomy in rats.     

Advantage of FMISO-PET over FDG-PET for predicting histological response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose

Hypoxia, a prognostic factor in many types of cancer, can be detected by ¹⁸F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) positron emission tomography (PET). It is unclear whether hypoxia reflects the response to chemotherapy in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The correlations of FMISO-PET and FDG-PET with histological response to preoperative chemotherapy were therefore assessed in patients with OSCC.

Methods

This study enrolled 22 patients with OSCC undergoing preoperative chemotherapy. The T-stages were T2 in 6 patients, T3 in 3, and T4a in 13, and the N-stages were N0 in 14 patients, N1 in 3, and N2 in 5. Each patient was evaluated by both FMISO-PET and FDG-PET before surgery, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) of FDG- and FMISO-PET and tumor-muscle ratio (TMR) of FMISO-PET were measured. The threshold for the hypoxic volume based on TMR was set at 1.25. The histological response to preoperative chemotherapy was evaluated using operative materials.

Results

FMISO-PET and FDG-PET detected uptake by primary OSCCs in 15 (68 %) and 21 (95 %) patients, respectively, and median SUV_maxs of FMISO- and FDG-PET in the primary site were 2.0 (range, 1.3–3.5) and 16.0 (range, 1.0–32.2), respectively. The median of FMISO TMR was 1.5 (range, 0.99–2.96). There were five cases whose FMISO TMR was less than 1.25. Histological evaluation showed good response to preoperative chemotherapy in 7 patients (32 %) and poor response in 15 (68 %). Good response was significantly more prevalent in patients with negative than positive FMISO uptake (P?P?=?0.04), whereas FDG uptake was not significantly correlated with response to chemotherapy response. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FMISO uptake was an independent significant predictor of response to preoperative chemotherapy (P?=?0.03, odds ratio?=?0.06, 95 % confidence interval?=?0.004–0.759).

Conclusions

An advantage of FMISO-PET over FDG-PET for predicting histological response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with OSCC was observed.